Westfield breaks away from Merrillville in the third quarter, claims program’s fourth semi-state championship
By RICHIE HALL
MERRILLVILLE – The Westfield football team hasn’t trailed much in games over the past few weeks.
But in the instances when the Shamrocks are behind, they eventually get it figured out. Such was the case again in Merrillville’s Demaree Stadium on Friday night, where Westfield broke free from the Pirates in the third quarter of the Class 6A north semi-state game.
The ‘Rocks eventually won 41-23, claiming the program’s fourth semi-state championship. It also gave Westfield a ticket to play in the state finals, and it will be the Shamrocks’ first-ever appearance in a 6A state final.
“It’s amazing,” said junior Micah Hauser. “And it’s the one thing that our entire class, the classes above me and my class. We’ve been talking about that for years. Ever since we were in fifth and sixth grade, that’s our main goal. That’s all we’ve ever thought about and to actually be doing it right now is amazing.”
In order to get to state, Westfield had to get past a Merrillville team that is just as explosive on offense as the Shamrocks are. The Pirates proved that when their quarterback, Angel Nelson, threw a 43-yard pass to JoJo Johnson for the first score of the game.
The ‘Rocks answered on their next drive, which ended with the first of six Westfield touchdowns. Maximus Webster saw Reid Schepers waiting in the end zone, and Webster tossed a 12-yard pass which Schepers calmly collected to get the Shamrocks on the board. Sean Sullivan’s extra-point kick tied the game at 7-7.
Westfield’s defense stepped up on the next drive, forcing Merrillville to turn the ball over on downs. The Shamrocks then marched down the field, using mostly the ground game, but Webster stepped up, completing four passes that totaled 10 or more yards. Webster finished the drive with a three-yard run into the end zone.
The Shamrock defense set up the next touchdown. Alex Wolf intercepted a Pirates pass that gave Westfield the ball on the Merrillville 20. That’s all that was needed, as Webster threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Wasserstrom. The Pirates would answer with a six-yard touchdown throw from Nelson to Marcus Hardy, but Westfield was in front 20-13 at halftime.
Merrillville’s Austin Pupek kicked a 29-yard field goal midway through the third, keeping the Pirates within 20-16. But Westfield made a sudden spurt after that to take over the game.
Webster started things off with a powerful 48-yard run into the end zone, aided by Hauser making a pancake block. Merrillville then fumbled on the first play of its next drive, giving the ‘Rocks the ball at the Pirates 14. A couple plays later, Webster was back in the end zone after a two-yard run.
“I think we figured them out a little bit better,” said Westfield coach Jake Gilbert. “That’s a good football team. We had a couple playmakers make plays. Micah Hauser had a huge block. Maximus had a huge run.”
Gilbert called that play a catalyst for his team. “From that point on, we really played well,” he said.
Westfield had one more touchdown to score, and that would be the opening play of the fourth quarter. Carson Voorhis got the ‘Rocks into the red zone with a 22-yard run. Hauser did the honors on the next play, making a nine-yard rush into the end zone.
“Once I got in, there was nothing but adrenaline and love for teammates,” said Hauser. “That just kept me going.”
Hauser was unable to play in last week’s regional game due to injuries on his left ankle and right knee, but got back in for the semi-state.
“I can’t feel anything right now with all the adrenaline, but it’s totally worth every bit of it,” said Hauser.
Merrillville scored one more touchdown with 2:19 left in the game, when Lavarion Logan made a six-yard run. But Westfield had the game in hand by then, finally getting past the dangerous Pirates.
“They stopped us in short yardage a couple times,” said Gilbert. “We fumbled once when we could’ve really taken the game over. That happens. We got to just keep chopping wood and our guys had the resolve to know we’re playing all the way through to the finish. We did what we do, eventually.”
Webster completed 10 of 15 passes for 126 yards, while rushing for an additional 130. Wasserstrom had the most catches with four, while Voorhis totaled 64 yards rushing. Sullivan made five extra-point kicks on the night.
Westfield is now 12-1 and will play Center Grove next Friday for the 6A state championship. The Trojans beat Ben Davis 48-13 to win the 6A south semi-state.
WESTFIELD 41, MERRILLVILLE 23
Score by Quarters
Westfield 7 13 14 7 – 41
Merrillville 7 6 3 0 – 23
Team Stats WF MV
First Downs 16 21
By Rush 9 12
By Pass 6 7
By Penalty 1 2
Rushes-Yards 38-223 36-175
Yards Passing 128 193
Comp-Att-Int-TD 11-16-0-2 13-30-2-2
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-Yards 7-45 8-42
Punts-Average 2-28.5 4-31.5
Westfield scoring
First Quarter
3:39 – Reid Schepers 12-yard pass from
Maximus Webster (Sean Sullivan kick)
Second Quarter
7:28 – Webster 3-yard run (Sullivan kick)
3:09 – Jackson Wasserstrom 20-yard pass from Webster (kick blocked)
Third Quarter
4:13 – Webster 48-yard run (Sullivan kick)
3:16 – Webster 2-yard run (Sullivan kick)
Fourth Quarter
11:53 – Micah Hauser 9-yard run (Sullivan kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Webster 18-130, Voorhis 11-64, Ryan Creager 2-19, Hauser 1-9, Porter Rode 4-11, Hunter Harris 1-0, Cole Ballard 1-minus 10.
Passing: Webster 10-15-126, Ballard 1-1-2.
Receiving: Wasserstrom 4-71, Schepers 3-32, Voorhis 2-19, Nic Depasquale 1-7, Piening 1-minus 1.